A flaky weight of winter's purest snows!

—Behold!—as with a gushing impulse heaves

That downy prow, and softly cleaves

The mirror of the crystal flood,

Vanish inverted hill,[174] and shadowy wood,

And pendent rocks, where'er, in gliding state,

Winds the mute Creature without visible Mate

Or Rival, save the Queen of night

Showering down a silver light,

From heaven, upon her chosen favourite!